Performance

What is Planter Performance?

As a landscape professional you strive to create an environment which supports biodiversity as well as nourish the human spirit. Each element of the design must be thoroughly understood in order achieve true success. These elements need to be coordinated to accentuate the positive aspect while negating the weaker qualities. They should be studied in concert rather than a piecemeal or sequential fashion. The performance of your system does not rely on any one individual component as much as it does the success of the components working together.

This is what we call Planter Performance.

Planter performance ensures your project’s long term success. By developing the soil elements to work in concert rather than independently, the Terramenta Planter Performance System has been established to simplify your design process. From drainage to the intensive top soil layer, Terramenta is a single-sourced Planter Performance System tailored to bring success to your architectural planter projects.

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Ten Tips for Successful Planters

ENSURE WATER RUN OFF
For all outdoor planters ensuring the drainage of excess water is crucial. If excess rain or irrigation water cannot flow away freely, your precious plants will die.

PROVIDE PROPER DRAINAGE
Planters and containers require a drainage layer to be placed at the bottom to enable excess water to flow to the drain holes.

SEPARATE MEDIA LAYERS
Depending on the depth of the planter or container, two or three different media layers are needed for a perfect system build-up. In any case, the drainage layer at the bottom must be separated from the growth media layer(s) above by a filter fabric.

PAY ATTENTION TO SOIL STRUCTURE
Potting mixes as they are used for seasonal plantings in smaller pots do not work well for larger planters and containers planted with perennials, grasses and woody plants. Typical potting mixes consist mainly of peat moss, coir and bark. These organic materials may work well short term but will break down over time. As they shrink and compact they will jeopardize the longevity of your precious plants.

OPTIMIZE SOIL FUNCTIONS
Taller plants in containers and planters have limited root space. Therefore, both physical and chemical properties of the growth media have to be optimized to ensure long lasting, healthy plant growth.

UNDERSTAND SOIL FERTILITY
An ideal growth media for planters and containers is rich in nutrients and contains sufficient minerals and trace elements. pH value and salt content have to be considered as well. At the same time, micro-organisms have an immense influence on soil fertility and plant growth.

SELECT THE RIGHT PLANTS
Plant selection not only depends on the design intent of the planner but also on many factors like region, climate, and location. In general, plants should be selected which fit to the size of the container and can live together in tight quarters as good neighbors.

CONSIDER IRRIGATION
Due to the artificial environment and the limited root space, most plants in containers and planters need additional water to survive. Regardless, whether you water by hand or install any kind of irrigation system, a reliable and accessible water supply is a key factor for success.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION
Selecting the right spot for a planter is crucial for good looks, plant health, ease of care, and long-term success.

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
Please refer to manufacturer’s instructions on how to fill planters and containers properly.